The Telangana Political JAC is faced with a piquant situation at present, in connection with the by-election in Parakala Assembly constituency in Warangal District.
Both the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the BJP have expressed their strong desire to field their candidates in the by-election; and this was the reason for the JAC’s dilemma on whom to support. Both the TRS and the BJP are in favour of separate Telangana state formation. The MLA who resigned this seat, Konda Surekha, is contesting on YSR Congress party ticket, though she is also a strong supporter of separate Telangana. She had actually resigned the Assembly seat on YS Jaganmohan Reddy issue, and she is now contesting as YSRC candidate.
The BJP, which has fielded it’s candidate in Mahaboobnagar recently and won it in the by-election, is now keen on fielding its candidate for the Parakala Assembly segment. The party feels that the party’s base in Telangana region, particularly in Parakala, has gone up considerably in view of it’s stand in favour of separate State, and hence it’s candidate is sure to win the seat. The TRS, on the other hand, is of the considered view that the Telangana sentiment is very strong in the area and it would help the TRS and not the BJP. The people are well aware that it was TRS which had been consistently fighting for separate State since its inception eleven years ago, while the BJP was supporting the case only recently. The BJP had failed to form Telangana state when it was in power and when it had created three new States, and this is considered a minus point for the party.
The Mahaboobnagar by-election has actually created a rift between the TRS and the TJAC, as some leaders of the JAC were reported to have worked for the success of the BJP candidates, in stead of the TRS, and this resulted in TRS facing defeat there. The JAC chief Prof Kodandaram had stated then that it would remain neutral; but some leaders of JAC had supported the BJP.
WILL IT HELP JAGAN ?
With the Mahaboobnagar experience, the JAC is presently weighting its options and keeping its fingers crossed, unable to decide whether to support the TRS or the BJP in Parakala. Some leaders of the JAC feel that the Parakala issue might further widen the gulf between the TRS and JAC, which is quite undesirable, as it would damage the main cause of separate Telangana state.
Both the TRS and BJP contesting the seat might result in YSRC candidate winning the by-election, and thus providing some ground for Jagan in Telangana region, some observers feel. (NSS)